The World Rugby Classic's mighty minnows have issued a warning to the giants of the game that their tournament dominance is all but over.

The Island's annual event was once monopolised by the All Blacks from New Zealand and the Classic Lions from Britain but recent years have seen improvements from the so-called lesser sides.

That culminated in Argentina and Canada reaching the final of the event in 1999 and South Africa, who have never reached the final stage before, lifting the title this year.

Tom Woods, captain of the Canadian team which lifted the Plate this year after being losing finalists in the Classic proper last year, believed this could only be regarded as good news for the event and attacked those who believe it is becoming too serious.

"The tournament is not becoming too serious and this is a sticky point with us,'' he said. "I know there has been whining from some individuals in the last few years and my feelings are that these people should move on to the Golden Oldies or Over 40s.

"The simple fact is the playing field has become more level and some teams -- like Canada, Argentina and South Africa -- are not content with getting lambasted every year, so we have done our best to be competitive.'' Woods said he was not one of those who thought the rules of the event needed altering, saying it was "awesome'' as it was.

"The Classic is perfect from a Canadian perspective,'' he said. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' And it wasn't just the quality of the event that received high praise from the Canadians.

"The Classic is a very special event for us made exceptional because of the way we are hosted by our Bermudian friends and made to feel like family members for 10 days every year,'' Woods said.

"This fact, above all others, makes the Classic so memorable from a Canadian perspective.'' Tournament newcomers Spain and Portugal, who formed a joint Iberian team this year, are hoping to be invited back in 2001.

The team reached the final of the Plate, losing out to Canada, and squad co-ordinator Bruce Hemara said it had been a great experience for them.

"The team played very well considering they had only been together since the Thursday before the Classic,'' he said. "They were also unaware of the high level of play that the players produce in the games, so therefore it was a tremendous effort to reach the Plate final at the first attempt.'' Hemara said the players had enjoyed the friendliness of the teams on and off the pitch, the reception they had received from the local people and professional organisation of the event.

"The highlight for many was just being able to rub shoulders with many of their rugby idols and making the Plate final,'' he said, saying the team hoped to make it to the final proper next year.

"They'll do the best they can on the field,'' Hemara said. "But they'll also look forward to enjoying the unique social component that the Classic is famous for.''